Linguistic reorganization of Indian States was driven by popular pressure from below. Comment

Theme

T19 Integration & reorganisation of states: princely states, linguistic states, new & smaller states

What UPSC asks in this theme

A strong cross-paper theme. GS1 asks about princely state integration and linguistic reorganisation; GS2 asks whether smaller states mean better governance. Recent questions ask whether reorganisation came from popular pressure from below.

What to cover

• Integration of princely states: Patel, V.P. Menon, Junagadh, Hyderabad, Kashmir
• Linguistic reorganisation: Potti Sriramulu, SRC 1953–56, effect on unity
• New states: Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Telangana — economic results
• Arguments for and against smaller states
• Continuous reorganisation since the 19th century

Writing the answer

• Use both history and present governance evidence
• End with a balanced view on unity and administrative efficiency

These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 6 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.